The NSW Government yesterday updated its reopening roadmap, which is far more generous than Victoria’s.
Both roadmaps are based on achieving 70% and then 80% full vaccination thresholds, which NSW will hit first:
On the Monday after NSW hits its 70% full vaccination threshold (11 October), fully vaccinated Sydneysiders will be allowed to have people in their homes, can go to the gym, indoor pubs, cafes and retail, can attend indoor weddings and funerals, can attend outdoor events, and can travel throughout the state:
By contrast, when Victoria hits the 70% full vaccination threshold (indicative date 26 October), fully vaccinated Melburnians will not be permitted to have people visit their homes, won’t be able to go to the gym, won’t be permitted to attend indoor cafes, pubs, retail, indoor weddings or funerals, can’t attend outdoor events, and still can’t travel through the state:
The news is better for fully vaccinated Melburnians once the 80% full vaccination target is hit (indicative date 5 November). By then, vaccinated Melburnians will be allowed to have 10 people visit their homes, can attend gyms, retail, pubs and cafes (but seated only service), can attend indoor weddings and funerals, and can travel through the state:
Victoria’s 80% roadmap rules are effectively the same as NSW. However, NSW has also committed to effectively remove all restrictions once 90% of residents are fully vaccinated (indicative date 1 December), specifically:
- No masks indoors.
- An unlimited number of people will be allowed in homes and outdoors.
- Venues will move from the 4 sqm rule to the 2 sqm rule – meaning each patron at a bar will only have to have two square metres to themselves.
- Nightclubs and other venues will reopen.
- Indoor pools will reopen.
At this stage, the Victorian Government has not committed to a similar 90% plan.
My biggest issue is that Melburnians will effectively still be under lockdown at the 70% threshold, whereas Sydneysiders will have freedom within a fortnight.
After 240 days of hard lockdown – a world record – Melburnians deserve better.
